United News of Bangladesh

Home and Agriculture Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Saturday said no extortionist regardless of their influence or position will be spared. “Action is being taken against extortionists. They are being brought under the purview of law. No matter how powerful they are, measures will be taken against them,” he told reporters replying to a question after visiting Mohammadpur Krishi Market in the capital. About the national election, he said, it will be held in the scheduled month as announced by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus. “If people remain election-oriented, no one will be able to stop it,” the adviser added. On the issue of commodity prices, Jahangir Alam said vegetable prices have gone up due to heavy rainfall. Over 80,000 army personnel to be deployed during election: Home Adviser “The market is largely stable, but the prices of leafy vegetables have increased. There is enough stock of potatoes. When the produce moves from wholesale to retail, the prices rise significantly. Unfortunately, farmers are not getting fair prices, while middlemen are making profits,” he added.

A case has been filed against former Bagerhat-1 lawmaker Sheikh Helal Uddin and his son, former Bagerhat-2 MP Sheikh Sarhan Naser Tonmoy, along with three others, on charges of allegedly extorting Tk 20 crore from a local businessman. Abdul Mannan Talukder, managing director of New Bashundhara Real Estate, lodged the case with Bagerhat Model Police Station on Monday. The other accused in the case are Sheikh Helal’s personal assistant Md Firozul Islam, Tanmoy’s personal assistant MH Shaheen and Sheikh Shahidul Islam. Court imposes travel ban on close aide of ex-DB chief Harun, 2 others Among the five accused, police have arrested Md Shahidul Islam, 37, on Monday, said Officer-in-Charge of Bagerhat Model Police Station Mahamudul Hasan. Quoting the case statement, the OC said the incident dates back to November 15, 2018, when all five accused allegedly went to the office of Abdul Mannan Talukder in Bagerhat town and demanded Tk 200 crore in extortion. The complainant alleged that the accused threatened to shut down his business, implicate him in false cases, and even kill him if he refused to pay. Out of fear for his safety and business, Mannan said he handed over Tk 7.3 crore from client deposits to the accused that night. On January 3, 2019, the accused allegedly visited his office again and issued further threats, prompting Mannan to pay an additional Tk 12.7 crore to protect himself and his business. Ex-MP, 8 AL leaders held in Dhaka In total, the accused reportedly extorted Tk 20 crore in two instalments, according to the case statement. OC Mahamudul Hasan said efforts are underway to arrest the remaining accused.

The government is working to prevent price hikes of sacrificial animals caused by extortion ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter said on Sunday. Steps have been taken to ensure that cattle prices remain stable and that extortion does not disrupt the market during the upcoming Eid, she said at press conference at the ministry’s conference room. Seeking public support to maintain a stable market, the adviser said, “We want to celebrate the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha with joy and order. Your cooperation is vital to prevent any market instability.” BGB seized 10 Indian cattle along C’nawabganj border The government has already held inter-ministerial meetings and is confident in addressing any potential issues that might arise, she added. "We have assured the farmers, and they have assured us in return, that there is no need to import sacrificial animals this year," she said adding lcally reared cattle are sufficient to meet the demand, and preparations and management are in place accordingly. According to the Department of Livestock Services, this year’s total number of sacrificial animals is expected to be 12,447,337 including 5,602,905 cows and buffaloes, 6,838,920 goats and sheep, and 5,512 other animals. A surplus of approximately 2,068,135 animals is likely this year. Regarding the slaughter process, Farida Akhter said a total of 36,577 butchers – including 15,369 professionals and 21,208 non-professionals – have been trained in scientific methods of slaughtering and skinning animals to ensure hygienic and humane practices. She further said that as per the decisions taken in today’s inter-ministerial meeting, strict actions will be taken to prevent the illegal entry of cattle in border districts. Law enforcement agencies including the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), police, Coast Guard, district administration, and district livestock offices will work in coordination to stop cross-border smuggling. “From today, illegal cattle entry will be completely prohibited and violators will face strict legal action,” the adviser warned. To ease cattle transportation, special trains will be operated from northern regions to Dhaka and Chattogram. The transportation of animals via rail and waterways must comply with the Animal Welfare Act, 2019. On waste management at cattle markets, she said the Local Government Division and city corporations will work together to ensure cleanliness and proper disposal of animal waste. Necessary guidelines will also be issued to encourage hygienic and mechanised slaughtering.  

Police have arrested a youth for allegedly extorting money from a private car owner in Jigatola area of the capital on Tuesday night. The arrestee, identified as 23-year-old Ashraful, is a resident of the Hazaribagh area in Dhaka. His ancestral home is in Chandraganj, under Lakshmipur district. Listed extortionist held with arms in Dhaka Md Abdul Alim, officer-in-charge of Dhanmondi Police Station, said Ashraful was held in Hazaribagh following a tip-off. A video of the extortion incident, which went viral on social media, shows a youth demanding money from a private car owner parked in front of Ibn Sina Diagnostic Centre in Jigatola. After reviewing the footage, police identified and tracked down the suspect. Two brothers killed in Narsingdi ‘over extortion’ A case has been filed against Ashraful at Dhanmondi Police Station. Earlier in the evening, the video was shared in a traffic police group, showing the car owner conversing with the youth before handing him money. The footage sparked public outrage and prompted swift police action.

A powerful transport syndicate has started extorting Tk 832.30 crore from over 1.5 crore Eid travellers as "tips," forcing them to pay exorbitant extra fares, according to a report by the Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity. The report, presented by the organisation’s Secretary-General, Md Mozammel Haque Chowdhury, at a press conference at the Dhaka Reporters’ Unity on Wednesday, highlighted widespread fare irregularities across road, rail, water and air transport. Jatri Kalyan Samity demands end to overcharging, harassment during Eid travel Eid Travel Rush and Fare Anarchy Between 20 March and 31 March, approximately 22.74 crore passenger trips will take place in Dhaka, driven by Eid shopping and travel to home districts. Of these, 1.5 crore people will leave Dhaka for their hometowns. Despite government efforts to regulate fares, 98% of public transport operators are charging excessive amounts, the report states. Fare hikes are primarily attributed to inflation, extortion, employee Eid bonuses, and owners’ profit motives. Besides, the absence of passenger representatives in monitoring teams has made oversight ineffective. Jatri Kalyan Samiti demands ban on unfit vehicles during Eid travel Breakdown of Extra Fare Collection Road Transport ·         Long-distance buses and minibuses: Tk 90 crore extra from 30 lakh passengers (Tk 300 per passenger). ·         City buses: Tk 12 crore from 40 lakh trips (Tk 30 per passenger). ·         CNG auto-rickshaws: Tk 60 crore from 30 lakh passengers (Tk 200 per trip). ·         Battery-powered and pedal rickshaws: Tk 160 crore from 8 crore trips (Tk 20 per passenger). ·         Leguna, Duranta, Diganta (human hauliers): Tk 16 crore from 80 lakh trips (Tk 20 per passenger). ·         Ride-sharing motorcycles: Tk 250 crore from 2.5 crore trips (Tk 100 per trip). ·         Private cars, jeeps, microbuses: Tk 21 crore from 20,000 trips (Tk 3,500 per trip). Water Transport ·         Launches and boats: Tk 80 crore extra from 40 lakh passengers (Tk 200 per passenger). ·         Ferries and river crossings: Tk 100 crore from 10 crore trips (Tk 10 per passenger). Rail Transport ·         Train roof passengers: Tk 80 lakh from 80,000 passengers (Tk 100 bribe per passenger). ·         Passengers without tickets: Tk 7.5 crore from 2.5 lakh passengers (Tk 300 per bribe). Air Transport Domestic flights: Tk 35 crore from 1 lakh passengers (Tk 3,500 per passenger). Call for Reforms The Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity emphasised that the fare hikes are exacerbating the cost of living, encouraging corruption, and increasing road accidents. To curb these issues, it urged authorities to introduce digital fare collection, ban cash transactions, use CCTV for fare monitoring, and improve transport governance. 475 dead from 452 road accidents in October: Jatri Kalyan Samity Press Conference Attendees Present at the press conference were newly elected Chairman Dr Mohammad Zakaria, former Election Commission Secretary Syed Ahmad, former Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority Executive Director Mahmudul Hasan Russell, and Mohammad Alauddin Masud.

A pedestrian was killed and several others were injured in a clash between two groups of BNP and Chhatra Dal over allegedly realising extortion from vehicles in Madhyanagar upazila of Sunamganj on Monday night. The victim was identified as Mohammad Ali, son of late Hossain Ali Talukdar of Hossainpur village of the upazila. Police and locals said followers of upazila unit of BNP convening committee’s member Moktar Hossain had been realising money in extortion from lorries passing through the Mahishkhola Bazar from nearby Tahirpur upazila. As general secretary of Bangshikunda Uttar union unit of Chhatra Dal Harun Mia has tried to take control over the extortion, the trouble started with Moktar, said officer-in-charge Madhyanagar police station Md Sajeeb Rahman. On Monday afternoon, he said, an argument broke out between the two groups over the matter which turned into a clash, leaving several people injured, they said. Jubo Dal leader ‘assaults’ railway staff over ‘extortion’ The injured were taken to Upazila Health Complex where physicians declared Ali dead upon arrival, said the OC. The body was sent to Sadar Hospital morgue for autopsy, he added.

Some staff of Narsingdi railway station have been physically assaulted allegedly by Mahmudul Hasan Chowdhury Sumon, convener of Narsingdi district town unit Jubo Dal, for not paying extortion. Narsingdi station master Abu Taher Mohammad Musa submitted a written complaint to deputy commissioner Mohammad Rashed Hossain Chowdhury against the Jubo Dal leader on Wednesday. The deputy commissioner said, “I have received a written complaint and necessary steps will be taken against those involved in the incident.” Highway extortion surges across Bangladesh threatening economy: Reports According to the complaint, Jubo Dal leader Sumon and his associates have been trying to realise a large sum of money from the staff of the railway station by intimidating them. They use the VIP room of the station for taking drugs and gambling and misbehave with the passengers at the station, reads the complaint. Extortion: Battery-run autorickshaw drivers block Dhaka-Aricha highway On February 21, around 8:15 pm, a group of criminals led by Sumon entered the office room of the station with weapons and physically assaulted the station master and other railway staff and threatened to kill them. Abu Taher said "We are living in constant fear due to the harassment by Sumon and his associates. Our regular operations are being disrupted and they are not only threatening us but also harassing passengers. Sumon has physically assaulted one of our senior staff members. We have submitted a written complaint to the DC and are urging the administration to take swift action." Denying the allegation, Jubo Dal leader Sumon said the station master is spreading propagandas against me. “All the allegations brought against me are false and fabricated,” he claimed. Mahsin Hossain Bidyut, president of Narsingdi district unit Jubo Dal, said, “If the allegation brought against Sumon is true, necessary action will be taken against him on the basis of evidence as BNP's acting chairman Tarique Rahman ordered to show zero tolerance against those involved in extortion using the party name.”

Jubo Dal has suspended a member at Gazipur’s Sreepur upazila unit after video footage showed him in extortion from traders at local MC Bazar on Saturday. The BNP’s youth wing Jubo Dal took the action against Jahangir Alam after a video showing the Jubo Dal leader of the upazila unit of the convening committee went viral on social media, triggering severe criticism. He also held the post of former member secretary of Telihati union unit of Chhatra Dal and is son of Nuru Bepari of Mulaid village under the union. Gazipur district unit of Jubo Dal Convenor Ataur Rahman Molla confirmed that the executive committee of the Jubo Dal suspended him on saturday night and his party never supports such deeds. In the video footage, he was heard saying, “From now on, MC Bazar will run under my control as long as I am alive.... now and now, my people will start collecting khajna (extortion). If anyone obstructs, there will be dire consequences. I don't care if someone leased the market. Right now my people will start collecting money.” Jubo Dal suspends its Daulatpur VP for breaking discipline Preferring anonymity, some traders said wearing red tape on heads and covering faces with towels Jahangir and his 50 to 60 cohorts stormed the market at noon on Saturday and demanded money from traders brandishing machetes. Many traders fled the market in panic and some paid the money as per demand, they said. Sreepur police station’s Officer-in-Charge Joynal Abedin Mandal said their several teams are working to arrest those who forced the traders to pay the money.

Planning Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud on Monday acknowledged that the level of extortion in the country has not significantly changed compared to the previous Awami League regime. “Corruption itself is an economy,” he said while briefing reporters at the NEC conference room on the outcome of the Ecnec meeting. In this regard, the Adviser mentioned that if there is a large number of archways being built or a huge number of people being transported by bus, it also creates a flow of money. “Money also circulates in the politics of patronage and tender politics. Those activities have, I do not know, surely been reduced.” Govt prioritising quality over quantity in development spending: Planning Adviser He said that the wastage associated with evil politics temporarily created a flow of money in the current economy. “But that does not mean that these practices need to be reintroduced again.” The Planning Adviser said that economic activities in rural areas need to be further reactivated if employment generation is to be ensured. “Generally, there is a scarcity of employment (in the country),” he added.

Two policemen have been arrested from Dhaka’s Sher-e-Banglanagar area in the capital on charges of extortion and kidnapping. The arrestees are sub-inspectors Tuhin Kazi and Moshiur Rahman Taposh. Both were posted at Mirpur Shah Ali Police Station in the capital. Woman arriving from Dubai arrested with over 8 kg gold at Dhaka airport They have already been suspended after primary investigation. Being informed, a team of police from Sher-e-Banglanagar police station arrested them on Tuesday night on charges of extortion after kidnapping. Later, both of them were shown arrested in a case filed at the police station by one Shahadat Sarker. BCL leader arrested for threatening independent candidate in Narsingdi Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Sher-e-Banglanagar police station Ahad Ali, confirmed the matter. They were produced before a Dhaka court on Wednesday with a remand plea. After the hearing, the court put them on a three-day remand each, the OC said. 3 AL men arrested for attacking independent candidate's supporter in Rajshahi Contacted, Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Mirpur Division, DMP, Jasim Uddin, said legal procedure has been completed against the two SIs as primary investigation found the allegation against them to be true.